Solar Panel Cost Guide in Seat Pleasant, MD (2023 Update)

  • Seat Pleasant Solar Installation Cost: $10,577
  • 25-Year Savings: $12,317
  • Payback Period: 11.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Seat Pleasant

Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Seat Pleasant.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Seat Pleasant typically cost around 2.77. Using this figure, a typical 5.5-kW system would cost about $10,568 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The actual cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. With average savings of about $16,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Seat Pleasant find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Seat Pleasant that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Seat Pleasant

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,501
3 years $-10,348
5 years $-10,195
7 years $-10,043
9 years $-9,890
11 years $-9,738
13 years $-9,585
15 years $-9,432
17 years $-9,280
19 years $-9,127
21 years $-8,974
23 years $-8,822
25 years $-8,669

Top Solar Installers in Seat Pleasant

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Seat Pleasant

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Seat Pleasant

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Seat Pleasant: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,770. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Seat Pleasant average.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Seat Pleasant offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Seat Pleasant, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $2.88 $12,099 $13,082 12.0 years
8 kW $2.83 $15,822 $17,753 11.8 years
10 kW $2.77 $19,390 $22,579 11.6 years
12 kW $2.71 $22,803 $27,561 11.3 years
14 kW $2.66 $26,060 $32,697 11.1 years
16 kW $2.60 $29,163 $37,989 10.9 years
18 kW $2.55 $32,110 $43,435 10.6 years
20 kW $2.49 $34,902 $49,037 10.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly influences your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Seat Pleasant, MD Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Seat Pleasant?

The average cost of solar panels in Seat Pleasant is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in Seat Pleasant?

You can't get solar panels for free in Seat Pleasant. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

Follow us